Antonio Conte, former coach of Napoli, has spoken candidly about the circumstances that led to the departure of star striker Victor Osimhen.
Speaking to BBC Sports, Conte admitted his decision to request a salary cut from Osimhen triggered a series of events that led to the Nigerian forward’s exit from the club.
“The problem at Napoli started when I tried to persuade Victor Osimhen to cut his salary,” Conte revealed.
“He refused, and that resulted in his departure after enduring a lot of frustration. I regret my actions. I thought I was doing Napoli a favor as a coach, but it backfired.”
Osimhen’s departure appears to have set off a domino effect, with Georgian winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia now reportedly on his way out. Conte believes this signals the end of Napoli’s dominance.
“Now Khvicha is leaving, which means the club will close down,” Conte lamented. “I advise the club owner to shut it down because we have lost the two key players who defined our success.”
In an unexpected turn, Conte expressed hope that Osimhen could return to rescue Napoli. “If Victor can listen to my plea and return, the club will honor him even more and increase his salary five times. I deeply regret my actions and the impact they had on the club.”
Napoli fans and football pundits alike are divided on Conte’s remarks, with some calling it a bold attempt at reconciliation and others criticizing the apparent mismanagement of star players.
As the drama unfolds, one thing is clear—Napoli’s future hangs in the balance, and the shadow of Osimhen’s departure looms large over the club
